Meaning, Features, Need, History, Relevance, Principles Practised by Indian Companies

Ethos is a set of beliefs, ideas, etc., about social behaviour and relationship of a person or group. Indian Ethos is all about what can be termed as “National ethos”. Indian ethos refers to the principles of self-management and governance of society, entity or a system by wisdom as revealed and brought-forth by great scriptures like Veda, Upanishads, Gita, Mahabharata, Bible and Quran. This wisdom evolved through the old practices of Indian mystics, philosophers and religious ‘Gurus’, and is now found to have profound implications for self-management and good governance of a stormy society and business environment, or even a politically divided world.

According to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, “Ethos are the moral ideas and attitudes that belong to a particular group or society”.

Features

1. Balance or Equilibrium: Balance or equilibrium is a stable state of Indian thought, i.e., balance between desire and desire lessness, spiritual and secular values, subjective and materialistic world.
2. Divinity of Human Being: Indian ethos focuses on the existence of human being as truth. There is nothing more perfect than the supreme soul.
3. Balance of Personal and Work Life: Indian ethos focuses on the concept that if you are good then the world is also good for you. So, every individual should have an effective management and balance of personal and work life in the organisation.
4. Importance to Character: The Indian ethos gives much importance to character not to the knowledge. It is the character, which is the real power and wealth.
5. Cosmic or Pure Consciousness: The divine element, which is an inner part of an individual, is a part of cosmic or pure consciousness. It gives a base for mutual trust, cooperative, teamwork and common good.
6. Whole-Man Approach: Indian ethos is based on Indian scripture like-Shruties of Gita and Upanishad and Smruties of Puranas. Indian thought provides the whole-man approach through knowledge of creation, cosmos and internal relation between spiritual and materialistic life.
7. Duty and Responsibility: Indian ethos rarely talks of rights and prevails ages. It always emphasises only on the duties and responsibilities of human beings.
8. Work in Worship: Indian ethos works with the fact that all work is worthy and honourable. ‘Work is worship’ is the guiding principle for all effort as advocated in the Indian ethos.
9. Excellence at Work: According to Indian ethos, total quality management can be assured through excellence at work, through self-motivation and self-development.
10. Knowledge: Indian ethos deals with two types of knowledge:

• Knowledge of creation
• Knowledge of creator

Need and Relevance of Indian Ethos

• Elucidate Motivation: Concept of motivation can be explained holistically by Indian ethos. Considering motivations as internal, every human being has the same divine atman with immense potentialities within. Vedanta brings infinite expansions of the mind, breaks down all the barriers and brings out the God in man. Motivation is to be internal and not external. Such motivation involves the inner beauty and does not promote any greed in an individual to have more and more in return for his work.
• Maintain Holistic Universe: Modern science has accepted that in this holistic universe, all minds and matters are interconnected at a deeper level. The basic unity of life cannot be broken. Love, sacrifice therefore emerges as the only means for a meaningful living. On the basis of this holistic vision, Indians have developed work ethos of life. This helps in living life to the fullest.
• Welfare: Indian ethos teaches welfare of all (yagna spirit). “Atmano Mokharth Jagat Hitay Cha” (serve your personal interest but do not forget others). This philosophy is needed in modern times.
• Evenness of Mind: Indian ethos helps in evenness of mind. Means are equally important as the ends. Thus, society acceptable values are to be followed in determining the objectives as well as in the process of achieving these objectives.
• Unique Work Culture: Indian ethos helps in development of unique work culture. Work is considered as duty or Sadhana and there is no difference between Karma(work) and Dharma(religion). The term Dharma does not indicate any particular religion. Dharma is a duty to be performed in a given situation. Thus, Dharma is possible through Karma only.
• Provides Concentration: Vedanta provides the ways and means of controlling the mind. It helps to concentrate, increase efficiency, productivity and prosperity. It is not religion of resignation and retirement. One cannot renounce their action. As the Gita says “You have to be a man of action, do not run away from your action or Karma but the same should be according to your Dharma”. The second aspect, is while doing the Karma; do not be tempted by worldly pleasures, materialism and the results. One has to be man of action, working in a spirit of renunciation. Renunciation does not mean living a life of isolation or living in a forest. One has to face the world and should not run away from your action. Do not get attached to anything.
• Self-Development: Integrated human personality of self-developed manager can assure best and competent management of any enterprise, involving collective works and efforts. The refined or higher consciousness will adopt holistic attitude. It will bring out the divine in man. It will achieve perfection or excellence in whatsoever sector of work. One shall achieve peace, harmony and prosperity within and without, i.e., in the internal world and in the external world simultaneously.
• Establishes Value System: Many of the present ills are the results of decline in our value system and loss of character. Forces of intense competition in the technology driven era of globalisation have taken a heavy toll of traditional values. People need to re-imbibe the sanatan values of honesty, integrity, compassion, care and cooperation.

There is again a need to establish conduct, based on truth and non-violence, peace, and harmony. One needs to promote a secular ethos that entails ‘sarva dharm-sambhav’. That alone will promote enshrined in our ancient maxim of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’. That will be India’s unique contribution towards enrichment of content of globalisation which today has its focus only on trade and commerce.

History

Formally, the body knowledge which derives its solution from the rich and huge Indian system of ethos is known as Indian Ethos in Management (IEM). Indian ethos is more vital to modern management than any other management theory for simple reason that it takes into account a ‘whole’ man approach (mentioned earlier) rather than approaching “man” in a partial fashion. Each and every situation can be met effectively if one takes time to reflect over it. Reflection with a tranquil mind helps in drawing out solutions from within. Such guidance from within helps a manager look at the perceived problem situation in a creative manner. It leads to a more coherent and complete understanding.

The silent ideas and thoughts of Indian Ethos in Management revealed by Indian’s ancient scriptures are:

• Archet Dana Manabhyam: Worship people not only with material things but also by showing respect to their enterprising divinity within.
• Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitaya Cha: All work is an opportunity for doing well to the world and thus gaining materially and spiritually in our lives.
• Atmana Vindyate Viryam: Strength and inspiration for excelling in work comes from the Divine, God within, through prayer, spiritual reading and unselfish work.
• Yadishi Bhavana Yasya Siddhi Bhavati Tadrishi: As we think, so we succeed, so we become. Attention to means, ensure the end.
• Yogah Karmashu Kaushalam, Samatvam Yoga Uchyate: He who works with calm and even mind achieves the most.
• Parasparam Bhavatantah Shreyah Param Bhavapsyathah: By mutual cooperation, respect and fellow felling, all of us enjoy the highest good both material and spiritual.
• Paraspar Devo Bhava: Regard the other person as a divine being. All of us have the same consciousness though our packages and containers are different.
• Tesham Sukhm Tesham Shanti Shaswati: Infinite happiness and infinite peace come to them who see the Divine in all beings.

Principles Practiced by Indian Companies

• Subtle, intangible subject and gross tangible objects are equally important. One must develop one’s third eye, Jnana Chakshu, the eye of wisdom, visions, insight and foresight.
• Holistic approach indicating unity between the Divine (the Divine means perfection in knowledge, wisdom and power), individual self and the universe.
• Inner resources are much more powerful than outer resources. Divine virtues are inner resources. Capital, materials and plant and machinery are outer resources.
• Immense potential, energy and talents for perfection, as a human being has the spirit within his heart.
• Yogah karmasu kaushalam, which means excellence at work through self-motivation and self-development with devotion and without attachment.
• Karma yoga (selfless work) offers double benefits, private benefit in the form of self-purification and public benefit.
• Cooperation is a powerful instrument for team work and success in any enterprise involving collective work.